Youth & Family Ministry
| Children and Youth Emergency Form |
It is true that most of a child's faith development happens within the day to day life of their family, and at Trindle Spring we strive to support that. We want to provide experiences and resources for families to grow together in their faith, and to use in their own home. We also think it is imperative to build community through our Youth and Family Ministry offerings. Below you will find a few of the opportunities that happen throughout the year. For questions about our Youth and Family Ministries, you can contact our Youth Directors, Casey & Elaine McMillan.
Elementary Youth Group
The Elementary Youth Group meets once a month for lunch, activities, and Faith Formation. Friends and guests are always welcome to join us.
Middle/High School Youth Group
The Middle/High School Youth group gathers at once a month at the church to enjoy dinner together followed by team building, devotions, games, and faith formation activities. They generally have a second event each month outside the church. This might be a fellowship event like bowling or ice skating, a service project, or a retreat. Guests are always welcome.
Harrisburg Area Confirmation Camp
Each summer we join with other congregations from around the region for a week at Camp Nawakwa. Confirmation Camp is for youth in 6th - 11th grade. We spend the week exploring scripture, the Small Catechism, worshipping, and having fun at camp. For more information, check out the camp website at https://harrisburgconfirmationcamp.org/
Multi-Congregation Events
It is great for youth to experience the larger church as well as their own congregation. Our youth gather with other youth groups for events several times a year, including the youth group kick off "Day 'O Games" and the annual winter Mega Retreat. Trindle Spring Lutheran youth also attend the annual Lower Susquehanna Synod Events ("Alive" for Grades 6-8 and "Winterfest" for Grades 9-12), and the triennial ELCA National Youth Gathering.
Elementary Youth Group
The Elementary Youth Group meets once a month for lunch, activities, and Faith Formation. Friends and guests are always welcome to join us.
Middle/High School Youth Group
The Middle/High School Youth group gathers at once a month at the church to enjoy dinner together followed by team building, devotions, games, and faith formation activities. They generally have a second event each month outside the church. This might be a fellowship event like bowling or ice skating, a service project, or a retreat. Guests are always welcome.
Harrisburg Area Confirmation Camp
Each summer we join with other congregations from around the region for a week at Camp Nawakwa. Confirmation Camp is for youth in 6th - 11th grade. We spend the week exploring scripture, the Small Catechism, worshipping, and having fun at camp. For more information, check out the camp website at https://harrisburgconfirmationcamp.org/
Multi-Congregation Events
It is great for youth to experience the larger church as well as their own congregation. Our youth gather with other youth groups for events several times a year, including the youth group kick off "Day 'O Games" and the annual winter Mega Retreat. Trindle Spring Lutheran youth also attend the annual Lower Susquehanna Synod Events ("Alive" for Grades 6-8 and "Winterfest" for Grades 9-12), and the triennial ELCA National Youth Gathering.
Alive! 2025
From September 26-28, 2025, youth in Grades 6-8 from across the Lower Susquehanna Synod gathered at Camp Nawakwa for the annual middle school retreat known at ALIVE! This year's theme was "Better Together," and throughout the weekend youth explored how we are better when we live in community through small group discussions, large group activities, worship, and fellowship. TSLC took three youth to ALIVE!, and four TSLC adults went along to help lead small groups and assist with the weekend. The weather was beautiful, the conversations were faith-filled, and everyone had a great time! Check out pictures from the weekend below and read reflections on the weekend from participants.
|
"This is my first time at Alive and I'm glad I went. I love Nawakwa, camping, and the food was good." - Kayla P.
"Better together means that we can use the gifts we bring to the table to help others, and when we need help others can use their gifts to help us. We lift each other up so that we all can be in community together." - Kathryn E., when asked about the weekend's theme |
"I was really glad Kathryn invited me. I got to meet a lot of new people and was proud of myself for putting myself out there." - Eliza A.
"I feel called to use my gifts to support our youth at Trindle Spring and in "the community," I really appreciated our small group discussions where we shared our strengths and shortcomings. We realized that our shortcomings are "messy blessings" and opportunities where we can offer support to strengthen our community. Youth can support adults just as much as adults can support youth." - Deb Smith, when asked about her experiences as an adult leader |